New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-11
An ENGLISH UALLLLJJAH CHORUS

American Free Traders have displayed eau
tionary signals for the benefit Of their English
associates. They have warned the London
press that premature manifestations Of joy over
the Presidents message will tend to rctard
the progress Of free trade in America. The
English press hereafter viii discuss the sub
icct with greater reserve and caution; but the
true friends Of American industry viii make
serious mistake if they arc imposed upon by
this diplomatic change Of manner. The real
feeling Of the manufacturing and commercial
classes Of Great Britain was frankly and un-
mistakably expressed when the President :
message was first received. That earliest de-
livcrancc Of opinion Of the English press Is
now and will remain conclusive on this qucS-
ton. The message was accepted III the first
instance without reserve or qualification as
declaration in favor Of free trade pure and
simple. This is the testimony Of our regular
London correspondent in his highly important
dispatches printed this morning, and great
stress must be laid upon it.
The summaries given in these dispatches OF
the earliest comments Of the London and pro-
vincial press upon the message ought to satisfy
any candid reader that there was an explosion
Of Joy throughout England. All the sophistncs
and antiquities employed by the President i'll
his reservations in favor Of home manufactures
and American workingmcn were brushed aside
British manufactures were to be admitted 10
American markets on terms which would en-
able foreigners to cripple and crush prosperous
and struggling Industries. This was the sense
in which the message was universally inter
prctcd in England, and every organ Of opinion
there was cOnvulscd with spasms Of delight
The immediate result Of the adoption Of the
Presidents policy was clearly disccrncd by
every English journal. There would be an
enormous increase Of British exports TO the
United States. The American market would
be gluttcd with British wares and competition
based on higher wages would be speedily DIS
armed. This was the judgment Of all England,
and the pancgyrics of the weekly journals upon
The Presidents character and policy have fully
confirmed it. There was llalciujah chorus,
as our correspondent tccgraphs, loud and
strong, from one end Of England to the other.
This is fact Of the highest significance for
Americans. If doubt and uncertainty exist
hero among certain classes Of the community
respecting the probable results Of lower tariff
and free trade, England knows It's own mind
on this subject and has revealed it. British
manufacturers, as our correspondent tclcgraphs,
have never doubted their ability TO crush Amer
lean competition and get possession of our
markets under free trade. No labored calcua-
lions are required in order to prove the correct
ness Of their reasoning. The question Of wages
settles tho controversy as soon as 1t Is raised.
With tho advantage Of lower wages British
manufacturers would inevitably drive their
American competitors out Of trade. When
thew assume TO stand in dread Of that compctl-
ton they are masquerading under the thinnest
Of DISCUSSES. Let no American be deceived
when the London correspondent Of Tho New
York Times" asserts that he can quote dozens
Of English experts who believe reduction Of
American duties will gravely threaten English
commercial supremacy where one can BIO found
who thinks England will gain by
it," That is free~uade delusion
put forward with intent 10 entrap
credulQus Americans. Tho English people
did not have their tongues in their checks
when they went into ecstscies over the Prest-
dcnta message They xejoiced WITH eymbsis